Uppercase Woman

Farrah and Women on Television

When Charlie's Angels was on television the first time, I didn't watch it. Our TV died when I was about five years old (in my memory, it was smack in the middle of an Easter Bunny special too), and my mother chose to not replace it. I think this was mostly good for me, because it turned me into a big time reader (which I still am today). The only issue I have with it was that I always, always lost at TV Tag (did you play that as a kid? You had to shout out the name of a television show when the person that was "it" tried to get you and then you froze and were "safe"), and now as an adult I cannot ignore a television screen when it's in my view (for instance, if I'm at a restaurant that has a TV where I can see it I won't hear anything being said at the table because I get totally drawn to the TV like a moth to a flame; I can't tune it out).

(There were a lot of parentheticals in that paragraph, weren't there?)

But I do remember the hype about Charlie's Angels. Because my mother commented on it. As a 1970s feminist, she was absolutely disgusted with the show and its premise: three "sexy" women detectives that answered to an unseen male who sent them routinely into dangerous territory. I can certainly see her point, but I think she missed out on the absolutely revolutionary nature of the show: it was the first time a television show featured smart, independent, ambitious young women fighting to utilize their talents in their careers (after all, they tried to all be cops but were stuck behind desks because it was the 70s, after all).

I've been thinking about that since Farrah's terribly sad death last week at the hands of a rather brutal cancer (seriously, I can't think of a worse way to go than anal cancer). What I remember most about Farrah Fawcett isn't her Charlie's Angels role (I think it was only a season or two, right?) but her 80s comeback when she starred in two very revolutionary roles in the  movies of Extremities and The Burning Bed. I watched Extremities after I'd fought off my own would-be rapist in the winter of 1986, and was profoundly effected by the movie. Watching Farrah quiver and softly testify in the courtroom scenes in The Burning Bed was amazingly memorable too; to this day I can picture those scenes.

Since Charlie's Angels, there have only been a tiny handful of shows that have centered on women characters; there was the fantastic Cagney and Lacey (how much do you love Sharon Gless and her chain smoking character on Burn Notice?), of course. Kate and Allie. I'm sure you can all remember a few more. But they have been few and far between; while many shows now feature the one strong, smart, complicated woman (Mariska Hagartay in Law & Order SVU, for instance), until very recently the airwaves remained dominated by men.

I was struck while I was thinking about Charlie's Angels and the legacy of that show with just how many shows I am personally watching (and invested in) right now that have women stars. Not just women, either, but messy and complicated and emotionally fascinating women. I'm talking about shows (all of these are on the air right now) like The Closer with Kyra Sedgewick (I loved how she carried around her dead cat's ashes this week while solving a huge crime and facing down not only her boss but her husband and the whole FBI). Then there is the unbelievably awesome Saving Grace starring Holly Hunter. Not only are those two shows STARRING women but they are also executive produced by the stars. And there is the new Hawthorne, starring Jada Pinkett Smith (the weakest show on this list by far, but I have hope, and it fills the hole left by ER just a bit). Kudos to TNT for featuring these shows.

There's also In Plain Sight, which I fucking love because it not only features the amazing main star as a federal marshall but two other remarkable actresses in lead roles as her sister and her mother. Then there is the new show starring Edie Falco called Nurse Jackie, and of course there is Weeds (which I'm not loving so far this season, but I stand by the show).

I think each of these shows owe a debt to Farrah Fawcett and the rest of the cast of Charlie's Angels, even if the television networks were (are) all a bunch of sexist idiots by taking this long to get to this point. You'll also note that all of these shows are on cable, and NOT the big three (or four) networks; we still have a long way to go.

But I'm grateful for the strength showed by a blond praised only for her "California" beauty and mostly ignored for her immense talent. It's making my summer far more entertaining--and empowering. Rest in peace, Farrah. And thank you.

Fall! Television! Season!

I totally know that I should be trying to write an intelligent, thoughtful post about the current financial crisis, but seriously--it sucks, the government is thinking about giving one guy a whole shit load of power without taking care of homeowners, it sucks, it's going to effect every aspect of our lives, it sucks, and of course, oh--it SUCKS.

As long as we're all clear.

I'm not trying to be cavalier; truth is, I don't know nearly as much as I should, and I am working on becoming informed enough to write a post that doesn't make me look like a dimwit. Although probably by the time I become informed, the bailout will have happened--thank God it does look like they are working to create a plan that works with homeowners to keep them in their homes.

So, while we all wait for me to get schooled, let's all distract ourselves by talkin' TV!

So, last night was the Heroes premier.  *SPOILER ALERT!!!* Man. I wanted to love it, I really did. I loved Season One (or Volume One), and managed to get through Season Two even with that horribly whiny woman with the eyes that went all black, and the fact that they won't fucking KILL SYLAR already (I am so over Sylar). But last night's show--man. Suresh has rapidly gone from being a rather clueless semi-scientist to a complete fucking idiot, and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD if you are going to spout science at us please take half a minute to make it even REMOTELY believable, and, DO NOT STEAL from THE FLY. Cause that's just rude. I didn't see enough of the characters I like, I kept getting confused about future Peter (not to mention the fact that his mother kept calling "current" Peter her son--what, does she disown future Peter? What the fuck?). Making Hiro and Ando ENEMIES? What are they thinking?

**END SPOILER**

Anyway, I spent most of last night being highly irritated. It was not a relaxing TV night. I'm not going to stop watching because I am CRAZY (hey, I'm fucking hanging in for the final season of ER--15 years, yo!)--it takes a lot to make me stop watching something (for instance, I recently abandoned The Cleaner on A & E because it so thoroughly violated every recovery tenet I hold dear, but it took five episodes).

Ahem. Anyway. Ranting over.

OK, not quite: what the fuck is WITH new shows not starting until October? I mean, really? Because then they'll break for Thanksgiving, and again for Christmas--meaning we get about six episodes for the entire fall season. And before you go and blame it on the writer's strike, they've been doing this for a couple years now. As far as I'm concerned, the fall season should start no later than Mid-September. Hereby decrees Cecily.

Heh.

So, other shows I can't wait to see (I'm gonna end up going by network since I'm using a cheat sheet): ER, as I said above, mostly because after this season I am DONE. I've watched from the very first episode, and cannot wait to see it how it ends. I enjoyed Chuck last season and will watch it again; I'm going to watch the premier of the new Knight Rider, but only to point and laugh; Law & Order SVU is barely hanging in there for me but I'll watch (and the regular Law & Order too, when I feel like it). That finishes NBC for me; no, I don't watch The Office (no real reason, just don't enjoy awkward humor that much) or 30 Rock (for the same reason, although I adore Tina Fey).

CBS: Well, the CSIs (not Miami, but New York and Vegas) even though I think they are on their way out. A couple sitcoms (How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory). I'm interested in seeing The Mentalist, that could be a kick (even if it is a direct Monk rip-off; Monk gets on my nerves). I also really loved Swingtown this summer (especially after they drifted away from the sex and started tackling the changing gender roles), but I'm afraid it's going to get canceled.

ABC: Ah, my soap fix. Here's we've got Grey's Anatomy (have you seen the previews? Seriously, whats-her-name is pregnant? FOR FUCK'S SAKE), Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money, and Ugly Betty. Love them all. Haven't decided if I want to watch Pushing Daisies again this season--thinking about it makes me tired. Lastly, I am SO FUCKING HAPPY to see that they brought back the show that was hands-down my favorite new show of last year, Eli Stone. I seriously heart that show--it's sweet, engaging, dramatic, and somehow believable even though it's about a guy that gets visions from a brain tumor that tell him how to do his job (OK, maybe the earthquake wasn't so believable last season, but you know what I mean).

Fox: Dudes, I am so digging on The Fringe. Seriously good show, if you are a sci-fi geek like me. Also watching House, but didn't love the premier--I also don't like the new doctors (I know, they've been there a whole season, but I still don't like them). Also already enjoying Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but I feel like it's not as good as last season (but is still fun).

Random cable channels: Full-fledged into Mad Men again this year (in fact, Jon Hamm is fast replacing Clive Owen at the top of my hot list--no, I don't have a type); damn that show rocks. Also just caught up with Sons of Anarchy--basically, a show that is the perfect cross between The Sopranos and The Dukes of Hazzard. It focuses on a biker club, and the various crimes and acts of vigilante justice they enjoy committing. Features Ron Perlman as the club leader, with Katey Sagal as his wife (in her best role EVER--she sizzles, smokes, and spits her way through her lines beautifully). Watching True Blood on HBO, as you have all guessed I'm sure given my obsession with vampires, but it wasn't until this week's episode that I really began enjoying it--I love the books the show is based on so it was an uphill battle for the show to be as good.

Good LORD that was a lot of info about me you didn't need to know (not to mention it took a half hour just to do all the links--forgive me if I missed any). How do I watch so much TV? Well, I DVR everything, first off, then I set up my laptop and do other stuff while it is on. Heh.

What are you looking forward to? What show helps you escape the pains of our economy and the election? 

You Are Amazing. No, really, you are.

Seriously, people, do you have any idea how spectacularly wonderful you are? I mean, who needs Prozac when y'all are here? Because you have singlehandedly taken this hopeless, depressed, miserable woman and completely turned her around.

While I still have a vested interest in the outcome of this election (and of course want it to go my own way--heh), you have all reminded me that I love people and that people, overall, are pretty great. No matter what happens in November, the American people are not really a nation divided. We have common goals, common hopes and dreams, and believe in each other.

But what was most interesting about the last two posts is that we are all actually in complete agreement. I find that hilarious. Across the board, everyone--conservative, moderate, and liberal--believes the following that makes them feel disenfranchised:

• They are not currently represented by the government.
• No politician currently running for office represents them perfectly.
• The media is totally biased and it's not possible to get the truth about candidates.

Also, everyone loves America. For the same reasons. All of us love this country because:

• Diversity, both in our people and our landscape.
• Our freedoms.
• Our governmental structure and constitution.
• The character of the American people.

I am so glad I did these two posts! What an overwhelming relief to know that in truth, we have more in common than not. I know I'm being mercilessly sunny and optimistic here, but seriously--in this age of divisiveness--when the politicians and the media are trying to drive us apart, don't you think we need to confound them all by coming together?

By the way, for everyone looking for a way to cut through the noise and clutter about the candidates, check this out. This is the site run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and they routinely check things like campaign ads, policy, etc and tell you what is TRUE and what is NOT. For both sides. No one gets off easy. I hope you find that it helps.

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I just wanted to update you all about a couple of things. First off, I'm continuing my hunt to find new clients so the loss of my main client won't cause me to be, oh, homeless (kidding, kidding; panic, panic). In looking for new ways to get money (and free stuff) I've started a review blog. Since going to BlogHer, lots and lot of folks want to send me stuff for free but I can't accept it without violating my contract with BlogHer Ads (ah, the irony) so I've started this new blog to talk about that stuff. I'll let you know when a new entry appears there (like, um, TODAY when I review Tiny Prints), and I hope you'll read (and subscribe it to your blog reader!). I promise to be just as tough on the products as I am on Republicans. Heh.

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Tori, by the way, has been much better behaved lately. We found out something interesting: her tantrums and hitting and throwing directly corresponded to her watching the TV show Caillou. I watched an episode with her (she demanded it) and to my shock I saw that the little bald monster that is Caillou is shown hitting, throwing, and tantruming on the show. (On an unrelated note, we are working hard at decreasing Tori's TV time, but we still use it a bit to get work done). Since we've been extremely consistent with punishment (and as long as we don't let her get too tired or hungry (as Sarah can attest--Tori knocked Sarah's iced tea into her lap at lunch the other day at lunch by throwing her sippy cup when Tori was both tired and hungry), she's been much better (except for fighting like HELl when it's bedtime. But that's another story). So Caillou is officially banned. We let her watch Oswald instead. Oswald is very nice and polite.

However, we do have a different problem. Tori's morning care program started back up last week, but they've made some changes. The biggest and worst change is that they've combined Tori's class with another one and that class has a teacher she hates and is scared off (and it appears to us that the teacher actually dislikes Tori). Her old teacher is still there too, but we can't drop Tori off if the disliked teacher is the only one in the room; we have to wait with her until the other teacher arrives.

Overall she comes home tired and mostly, as far as we can tell, happy. But she's not like she was last year, begging to not go home when we picked her up. So do we find another place? Express our concerns to the director? Arg. I really don't know what to do. If Tori was totally miserable, the answer would be clear. But she's not, just not as happy as she was. Is that enough reason? I really feel confused.

My church's Sunday School teacher--who Tori loves--also runs a day care, and we're going to go check it out. It's a bit more expensive (sigh--the conundrum of paying for daycare so I can work) but it might be a better alternative. What would you do?

Choosing Your Life

So, last night, thanks to Twitter (I forgot last night was the premier, but a tweet reminded me. Are you on Twitter? I am! It rocks! You'll find me as Cecilyk. I'm the same on Plurk, as of today. Warning--highly addictive), I was able to catch the season premier of Mad Men (are you watching Mad Men? I am! It rocks!). Seeing it again, with all its early 1960's elegance and suits and nice dresses and beautiful, beautiful smoking (it's been over ten years since I quit smoking, and this show makes it look SO GOOD) reminded me of a conversation Charlie and I had last season. (Are you happy I used so many parentheses  in this paragraph? I am! It rocks!).

Charlie is a huge fan of the show, in fact I think he likes it above all others currently airing. He loves the hats (he's a big fan of hats, and why not? He looks hot in a nice hat), he loves the skinny ties, he also loves the smoking. And the cars! Oh, how he loves the cars. And the drinking. In that longing, alcoholic kind of way, I do too. Charlie also often daydreams of living in that time and asked me, "Wouldn't it be cool to be living then?"

I was all, "FUCK NO."

Which totally surprised him. But he's looking at it completely from the point of view of being a man at that time. It was one of the WORST times to be a woman. Societal rules were incredibly constricting for women then. It was awful.

So Charlie asked me WHEN in time I would have liked to live as a woman. "Now," I said, "Or perhaps a hundred years from now when women have even more freedom." Again, he was surprised. It's not that I wouldn't mind going back in time to view history; it's just that I don't want to LIVE in it.

I want to live in a time when it would never, ever fucking occur to a man to create a sign that says, "Iron my shirt" and hold it up during a speech given by a woman presidential candidate. Hell, I want to live in a time when no one would even understand such a sign--both because no one will be ironing (for the love of God, please let there be a future without ironing) and because it would never, ever occur to someone that ironing is something that only women do.

That sounds like a good time for me to be alive. I'm happy to be alive now--trust me, this point in time has all my favorite people in it--but the future has got to be even better, right?

How about you? Would you choose to live in the past if you could?

Television Women

So, the writer's strike continues (go writers!) and television is becoming more and more of a wasteland. But there has been an odd side effect to the strike, I think. Shows that might have normally been canceled after a few episodes are being allowed a slightly longer run, and the interesting theme that ties some of those shows together? Women.

I've just watched the first three episodes of Cashmere Mafia (I had them all DVRed; I no longer watch TV when it actually airs) and while it has some huge, gaping problems I have to say I cannot remember the last time a network television show revolved around four women. Can you? Not only four women, but four women who met in business school and are all wildly successful in their careers. So name me the last time that any show centered on four smart successful women aired on network television.
.
.
.

Yeah, I can't think of it either. While I find myself wishing that the women were more like, well, anyone normal frankly--they are a singular unique entity, the New York City urban business woman, something that is hardly reflective of the rest of use women--I do think the show manages to escape some traps it could easily fall into, and the acting isn't too bad and the writing is actually pretty good (of course they are all white, with the exception of Lucy Liu, so that's another problem too). If it could just release the Sex & The City chains that are dragging it down I think it could be a really good show. I love watching women making deals, and calling men on their shit, and this show dedicates a lot of time to that. There's also a lot of makeup and fluff--and I find the whining about demanding nannies and incompetent assistants dull--but what can you do. The additional fact that the show is willing to allow a character to explore a lesbian relationship in a shockingly realistic way is pretty cool too.

...

Now, in the "wildly successful" column (as opposed to the 'only on the air because we have nothing else' column) falls the new show based on the Terminator movies, The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I'm sure you saw it if your TV was on when it was on, because some ridiculously astronomical number of people watched the show (I think I heard 34 million). The show basically covers the territory between the second and third movies--when Sarah is free and in hiding and protecting her son John from the machines from the future (we know that she dies eventually thanks to the third movie, and they pull no punches about that in the show).

Now, I freely admit that I am a sci-fiction geek to the extreme (I love the movie the 5th Element--no, I really really do), so I'm pretty easy to please. But they made some truly smart decisions about this show, particularly about the casting. Sarah Connor is played by Lena Heady, a fairly accomplished actress who manages to convey the fragility of her love for her son perfectly, but also manages to be tough and true and strong without the bulked out artificialness of Linda Hamilton in the second movie (which I actually liked). John Connor is played quite well by the young man that played Zach on Heroes.

But by far the best casting choice was the use the lovely and amazing Summer Glau of Firefly/Serenity fame. She's playing the "good" terminator, the one sent back to protect young John. She kicks butt most elegantly, and she manages to look like an actual robot while she does it. It's awesome.

The writing is surprisingly tight and compelling, the show captivated both me and Charlie and it is MUCH HARDER to get Charlie to buy into a sci-fi world than it is me (I'll fall for anything). I really enjoyed it and I am so glad to see it, to see more tough strong women doing what they need to; saving the world. Oh yeah.

The only real issue I have with the show is the truly disgusting and misogynist image they are using to promote the show featuring Summer's armless and topless torso. Ick. Memo to Fox and all other idiots that promote science fiction: WOMEN WATCH TOO. STOP USING SEXIST IMAGES AND YOU WILL SELL MORE/GET MORE VIEWERS.

...

Other than that, I enjoyed watching the first two episodes of American Idol. And if you ever wanted to know why I stopped hosting poetry readings here in Philadelphia? It's because of this; all those crazy people that auditioned? THEY WRITE POEMS TOO.

Trash Talkin' TV (and a movie) *additions*

First off, I just need to say this--why didn't anyone ever tell me that "croup" sounds like your baby is * choking to death? Cause it would have been helpful to know that before we went to the emergency room last night at midnight. Ahem. (Tori is pretty much fine, but has that awful cough at night. Yikes.)

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So, before I discuss the new fall TV season, let's talk about a movie. Heh.

Every few weeks, Charlie lets me sneak away and catch a movie by myself. It's something I enjoy (what, I'm weird), and this week I went to see Across The Universe. If you haven't heard of it yet, it's Julie Taymor's musical masterpiece using all Beatles songs.

It was AWESOME. No, really. AMAZING. LOVED IT.

I will say the following; in order to enjoy this movie you have to a) like musicals; b) like the Beatles (not for you, Dave); and c) not find it offensive to have Beatles songs sung by other people and be minorly re-arranged. This is critical. I used to be someone who couldn't stand altered Beatles songs. AT ALL. But in the last five or ten years there have been so many tribute albums that I've grown to like some of the covers, and it's more tolerable. And I really like the Love CD, which is all re-arranged Beatles songs (still sung by the actual guys, though).

They did NOT, thank god, pull a Moulin Rouge on us: every actor in the movie can really sing, and sing very well (I still can't watch Ewan McGregor sing in Moulin Rouge; he clamps his throat so tight while he sings that it hurts me). It also helps that the male lead looks like he could have been a Beatle; it makes it go down much more smoothly.

Everyone is just wonderful, and visually, it is simply stunning. It's very cleverly done; the songs track the trajectory of the 1960s nicely, with the sweeter songs early in the movie and the more complex songs coming during the protest era. I never knew how absolutely perfectly some of the songs would work in a musical context; of course, I shouldn't have been surprised since the Beatles really were storytellers.

Each character is named after a song; there's Lucy, and Jude, and Prudence, and Jo-Jo, and Max, among others. Every actor is delightful, and each time they burst into song it just feels right.

But for me, the biggest gift of the movie is the way it made me re-examine some of my favorite songs. I never knew that Let it Be could be so compelling and moving (just add a gospel choir), or that Revolution could be so personal.

I'm hoping to see this again on the big screen at least once. I might even try taking Tori (other than some tough war imagery, it really is kid safe--there is no nudity or bad language; there is implied sex and some kissing, though), because Tori does like a musical (she love Rent, which is running on cable a lot lately).

Anyway, go see it. It's wonderful.

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So. The new fall television season. Sigh.

Sucks, right? Sigh. Well, it's not all bad.

So far I'm enjoying Chuck ( although it's basically Jake 2.0 again); Journeyman, and Bionic Woman. Notice a theme? All sci-fi type shows. I knew I'd like Journeyman (stars that hot guy from Rome, after all) since I totally LOVED Quantum Leap back in the day. Bionic Woman has been mildly disappointing, but I love women kicking ass, so I'll stay with it until it's canceled.

I'm not enjoying Cane, particularly, even though the entire cast is smokin' hot (even Rita Moreno is hot in this show, and she's how old?), but I never liked soaps about rich people. Of course, that's not quite true: I am enjoying Dirty Sexy Money.  Private Practice is both compelling and irritating as shit--I can't figure out the problem there; it feels sexist and contrived, I guess. But that baby swapping storyline? Me. Crying. Hard.

Other than that, I'm sticking with my old favorites. Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, ER (dammit--I'm watching this until the bitter end), Heroes (more Hiro! please!), the original CSI. The only show I used to love that I think I'm going to give up is Law & Order SVU (did you see that episode with the avatars? God, that was HORRIBLE. Man).

Oh, and my guilty pleasure? Moonlight. Oh, be quiet. I have a thing for vampires.

What are you watching? Anything standing out for you this year? If you are wondering how I have time to watch all these shows, well, I have about 12 shows currently on my DVR to watch. So I'm, um, not actually watching all of them these days. Heh. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

*additions!*

I totally forgot to mention Pushing Daisies; totally love it. The dandelion car thing? Hilarious. Also, Friday Night Lights, yes, yes, yes--still love that show beyond reason, since I don't like Texas or football particularly. Californication still love, love, love. Mad Men, love. I'm sure there is something else I'm missing. And don't ask me why, but I never got into The Office. Dunno why.

 

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Voting is closed on the blog naming contest. I'm going to have an independent review of the votes (you know, make Sarah count them) and then you'll know when the new design is launched! Yee ha.

Normal, and TV nonsense (beware: this post is supremely boring)

So, apparently, according to over 150 experts (by experts I mean you guys) Tori is overwhelmingly, blissfully normal. Whew!

Why do I believe you more than I believe that stupid book?

I'm trying to get the courage up to burn the book. But since I'm adamantly anti book burning, I can't quite bring myself to do it. Would make a great photo though.

On to something completely trivial and near and dear to my heart: Television! *** SPOILER ALERTS ***

First off, who killed all of the people that used to do the script for the Oscars? Cause, seriously? That was one damned entertaining awards show. They even, by some ungodly miracle, managed to make the annoying announcement by the President of The Academy hilarious. Seriously. Was it all Ellen? Cause I tried really hard to love last year's show since my TV boyfriend hosted it, but it was not nearly as funny as it was this year. Really good TV even if I did miss all the big awards because MY GOD IT WAS MIDNIGHT ALREADY.

Secondly, fucking Gray's Anatomy. Seriously. Fuck you all for teasing us like that. First I thought maybe we'd get rid of Miss Emaciated, but no. Then we get to have ONE EPISODE with Denny again and just realize all over again why that character was so amazing and how sad it is that he died. God, he's just so warm and awesome. Build a show around that man, people! Come on.

Thirdly, Heroes. I cannot get me enough Heroes. That show kicks some serious ass, and features the only cheerleader I have ever adored ever in the history of ever.

Lastly, Friday Night Lights. What a crazy good show! I still feel like I'm watching a documentary instead of fiction. Really well done. And I hope and pray that Tori dates a guy like Matt Saracen.

Still loving Ugly Betty (oh my god, the kid performing the whole show of Hairspray on the subway ROCKED). Bored with ER but I can't. stop. watching. Watching Lost even though I don't really care. Still loving Medium. Enjoying Men In Trees mostly because it sorta reminds me of Sex & The City and I miss Sex & The City.

Very sad about the possible loss of Studio 60. The show wasn't all that interesting, but I love me some well written dialog. I really, really do. I'll miss it when it goes. Although who knows if they actually will cancel it.

Lastly, I can't believe it, but Charlie and I have gotten sucked into watching American Idol. After five years of resisting, we have succumbed. Sigh. Can you guess who is my favorite this season?

So, what are you watching? Or would you prefer that I just shut up and write about something else?